Finding the perfect hair color for older women is a game-changer, offering a subtle yet effective way to embrace your silver strands with renewed shine and confidence.
The Gray Hair Dilemma: A Common Concern
Many women in their 50s, like our pro hairstylist Wendy Burns, face the challenge of frequent salon visits to keep gray hair at bay. But here's where it gets controversial: is there a more convenient and cost-effective solution?
Enter the Best Hair Color for Older Women
Vogue's experts have curated a list of hair color products designed specifically for aging hair, offering a convenient and effective way to maintain your look at home. But is it really as simple as it sounds? Let's dive in and explore the options.
At-Home Hair Color: A Rookie's Guide
While it may seem daunting, mastering at-home hair color is simpler than you think. Here are some key considerations for aging hair:
- Quantity Control: Always ensure you have enough color to saturate all your hair, as gray hair can be resistant to color.
- Moisturizing Formulas: Opt for products with moisturizing ingredients to restore lost luster and manageability to aging hair.
- Salon Complement: Treat at-home color as a complement to, not a replacement for, your regular salon visits. Seek professional advice to maintain your look and avoid damage.
Vogue's Top Picks for Older Women
Best Colour-Depositing Shampoo: Celeb Luxury Gem Lites Colour Wash
- Why We Love It: Recommended by pro colorist Beth Minardi for a soft color boost at home, this shampoo is gentle, free from harsh chemicals, and infused with bond repair technology and conditioning ingredients.
- Formula Types: Colour-depositing shampoo
- Shades: 9, ranging from blonde to red
Best Permanent Colour: L'Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Colour
- Why We Love It: Pro colorist Elena Ruiz praises its excellent gray coverage and rich, even color. The kit includes a protective keratin complex cream, and a hyaluronic acid-infused shampoo and conditioner set to maintain hair strength and shine.
- Formula Types: Colour cream, shampoo, and conditioner
- Shades: 30, including blonde, red, brown, and black
Best Semi-Permanent Colour: Clairol Beautiful Collection Moisturizing Colour
- Why We Love It: Minardi recommends this long-lasting, semi-permanent color for its convenience and gentle formula. Infused with aloe vera, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, it enhances color for up to eight washes.
- Formula Types: Cream color
- Shades: 20
Best Touch-Up Spray: TRESemmé Root Touch Up Temporary Hair Colour
- Why We Love It: Celebrity hairstylist Hayley Heckmann suggests this spray for in-between salon visits, offering a quick fix to blend new growth and create the illusion of fuller hair.
- Formula Types: Aerosol spray
- Shades: 5, including dark brown, red, and dark blonde
Best Root Colour: Schwarzkopf Keratin Root 10 Min Root Colour Revitalizer
- Why We Love It: Burns calls this kit a dream product for gray coverage. It includes a pre-color serum with vitamin B and collagen, a color cream, and a developer lotion, offering a detailed application right down to the root.
- Formula Types: Pre-color serum, permanent color cream, and developer lotion
- Shades: 3
The Ultimate Guide to Hair Color for Older Women
Should You Go Darker or Lighter?
Ruiz suggests adding lightness, especially around the face, for a more youthful look. Soft brightness can enhance your features and create a natural glow.
What's the Best Hair Color for Older Women?
Minardi recommends staying close to your natural shade or going a bit lighter. Highlighting your base shade with lighter strands or slightly lightening the base can be the most attractive option as gray hair increases.
Tips for Dyeing Your Hair at Home
Burns shares her top tips for older women dyeing their hair at home:
- Avoid using permanent color over temporary gray covers like powders or sprays. Hair must be clarified first.
- Prepare your skin by applying a barrier cream around the hairline, neck, and ears. Aging skin can be thinner and drier, making staining more challenging.
- Conduct a patch test each time you color to ensure no allergic reactions.
- Start your color application at the front hairline, where gray hair often appears first and can be more resistant.
- Don't refresh the ends every time if they don't need it. This can flatten your hair color.
- Remember, color doesn't lift color. For drastic color changes, consult your stylist.
How We Tested and Curated Our Recommendations
At Vogue, we take a holistic approach to product testing and reviews. We leverage our vast network of experts, including dermatologists and celebrity hairstylists, to identify industry-leading products. We then pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful recommendations you find on our site. For hair color, we considered formula type, color permanence, ease of application, and color options.
Meet Our Experts
- Beth Minardi, owner of Beth Minardi Hair Color in Houston, Texas
- Elena Ruiz, colorist at Voel Hair in New York City
- Hayley Heckmann, celebrity hairstylist and TRESemmé brand partner
- Wendy Burns, hairstylist and owner of Hey Darling Hair Studio in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
So, are you ready to embrace your silver strands with renewed confidence? What do you think about these hair color recommendations? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
